While monkeypox disease puts countries on alert, now the listeria virus has emerged. According to the statement made by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9 people who ate Boar’s Head brand deli meat lost their lives due to the listeria virus.
LARGEST OUTBREAK IN THE US SINCE 2011
The nationwide listeria outbreak has also left 57 people hospitalized, making it the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011, the CDC said.
DEATH CASES INCREASED
The states where deaths have been reported are Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia. The center urged people to avoid consuming the recalled products and to pay attention to the numbers ‘EST. 12612’ or ‘P-12612’ on the labels.
At least 3 million kilograms of meat, including more than 70 products under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brands, including ham, bologna, bacon and sausage, have been recalled, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The products were produced between May 10 and July 29. The recalled products were distributed nationwide or exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama.
HOW IS LISTERIA TRANSMITTED?
Listeria is a disease transmitted by consuming foods that contain the bacteria ‘Listeria monocytogenes’. Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US, with an estimated 1,600 infections and 260 deaths each year. Pregnant women, newborns, people over the age of 65 and those with weakened immune systems are at risk of contracting the disease, and symptoms include fever, muscle aches, loss of balance, cramps and intestinal problems. In some people, symptoms can take up to 10 weeks to appear.
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